Automatic fleet angle compensation apparatus



Sept. 14, 1965 R. E. sMrrH ETAL 3,206,139

AUTOMATIC FLEET ANGLE COMPENSATION APPARATUS Filed NOV. 4, 1953 l v \L` y F?. 3 BY Regno/a E 5mi/h Robe/*f A. Crow/ey United States Patent O 3,295,139 AUTOMATIC FLEET ANGLE COMPENSATION APPARATUS Reynold E. 'Smith and Robert A. Crowley, Longview,

Tex., assignors to Le Bus Royalty Company, Longview,

Tex. a artnershi linien Novi.) 4, 1963, ser. No. 320,985

8 Claims. (Cl. 242-1571) This invention relates to improvements in cable spooling apparatus and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a cable reeving apparatus particularly designed and constructed for compensating for and correcting the fleet angle of the cable when the fleet angle oi the cable winding onto or ot the drum is a detriment to the good even spooling of the cable so that it may bve spooled on the drum efficiently and evenly without detriment or entangling of the cable during the winding operation.

Many problems are encountered in the winding or spooling of a wire line or cable onto a drum. Cable having a bad fleet angle from the stationary sheave to the drum core has a tendency to wind unevenly on the core of the drum, which results in a jerking and tangling of the cable as it is unspooled. This is a particular disadvantage in a hoisting or cable winding operation wherein a relatively short mast is utilized with a relatively long spooling drum. Under this type of circumstance, the fieet angle of the cable between the fixed sheave and the drum is usually extremely excessive or bad, and it is often di'icult to compensate for the angle to maintain a control of the spooling operation. In addition, it is important that each layer of the cable extend across the rum core from flange to flange with each successive wrap or turn of each layer of the cable being disposed in a close relationship to the adjacent wrap without piling up in the middle or at either side of the drum core between the iianges. It is diiiicult to control the wind'- ing of the cable with the successive turns close together, particularly in well bore drilling operations wherein the load on the cable frequently causes a twisting of the cable. If the initial layer of the cable is ineiciently wound on the drum, and the eet angle is bad, the error will be increased with each successive layer until the control of the cable will be substantially lost.

The spooling of multiple layers of cable onto the drum core has also presented a problem to the hoisting industry. A counter-balance spooling system for providing a true and eliicient winding of multiple layers of cable has been developed by Franklin L. Le Bus, Sr., as disclosed in various Le Bus prior patents, such as United States Let ters Patent No. 2,620,996, issued December 9, 1952, entitled Cable Winding Apparatus; No. 2,708,080, issued May 10, 1955, and entitled Hoisting Drum; No. 2,732,150, issued January 24, 1956, and entitled Balanced Cable Spooling; and No. 2,734,695, issued February 14, 1956, and entitled "Balanced Cable Spooling. The spooling system developed by the aforementioned patents has greatly advanced the cable spooling art and has met with wide acceptance in hoisting industries of all types. However, an efficient control of the cable can be maintained with the counterbalanced spooling system only if the fleet angle of the cable between the xed sheave and the drum is contained within certain limits, preferably not greater than approximately one and one-half degrees, but not limited thereto. It has been found that -a lieet angle in excess of this size, or greater than one and one-half degrees, creates further problems in the spooling operation in that the line will tend -to be pulled up on a preceding wrap and start back on the next layer before the cable reaches the drum flange, or the cable will move Aand this adjustable feature 3,206,139 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 two or three grooves toward the center of the drum as soon as it rises at the flange. In either event, there will be voids or gaps in the cable spooled on the drum, which results in an uneven winding on the core of the drum.

The automatic oscillating compensator shaft and floating sheave device disclosed in the R. A. Crowley et al. Patent No. 3,083,932, issued April 2, 1963, and entitled Automatic Oscillating Angle and Oli-Center Compensator Shaft and Floating Sheave Combination Apparatus, and of which we are two of the co-inventors, was developed to solve the problem arising from a bad ileet angle. This device provides a shaft member having an axis of rotation which is non-coplanar with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof whereby the iioating sheave slidably mounted thereon may move in an arcuate path in response to the pressure of the cable to substantially eliminate the iieet angle between the iioating sheave and the cable spooling drum. The oating sheave is interposed between the drum and the xed sheave and moves along the oscillating shaft for maintaining the length or" the cable between the iixed sheave and the drum substantially constant throughout the spooling operation. This action of maintaining a constant length for the cable is an important feature of the etiicient compensation for and correction of the bad ileet angle.

The distance between the longitudinal axis of the oscillating shaft and the axis of rotation thereof is known as the throw of the pivot arm. An improved fleet angle compensating device having adjustable throw members for automatically adjusting the olf-set axis during the cable spooling operation in accordance with variable requirements thereof has been devised as disclosed in a co-pending application Serial No. 157,891, now Patent No. 3,122,341 entitled Automatic Fleet Angle Compensation Apparatus, and of which we are two of the coinventors. The end cap members of this improved device permits variation of the angle between the throws has been found very advantageous in most field installations to meet practical conditions under which devices of this type are required to operate. However, in certain instances it has been discovered that the maximum adjustment of the angle be'- tween the throw members which is attainable with the improved device is not suiiicient to meet the requirements of the particular installation. In such as instant, it may be necessary to attempt the installation of a plurality of the lieet angle -compensating devices having varying specifications or of varying sizes in order to complete the inn stallation.

The present invention contemplates a novel fleet angle compensating apparatus particularly designed and constructed for overcoming the aforementioned disadvantage. The lieet angle compensation of the present invention is provided with adjustable journal means wherein the length of the throws or distance between the axis of each pivot arm member and the center line of the eccentric shaft may be varied in accordance with the requirements of substantially any installation. The end caps are secured to the opposed ends of the shaft for receiving a journal member thereon. Each of the journal members carrying -a pivot arm is secured to the respective end cap by means of a threaded stud member in order that the distance between the axis of the pivot arm and the axis of the shaft, or length of the throw, may be adjusted with great accuracy to meet substantially any installation requirement. The adjustment of the distance between the two axes may be achieved by rotation of the threaded shank or stud, thus providing a simple and eicient field adjustment of the fleet angle compensating device at the installation site.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel reeving apparatus for compensating for and controlling the fleet angle during the spooling of a line onto a drum in a true and accurate manner for substantially eliminating any distortion or entanglement of the cable during the spooling operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel fleet angle compensator apparatus particularly designed and constructed for maintaining a substantially constant length for the cable between the fixed sheave and the drum throughout the spooling or unspooling operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel fleet angle compensator apparatus which is reponsive to the pressure of the cable for automatically compensating for the eet angle in the cable spooling operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fleet angle compensator apparatus for automatically providing fleet angle compensation for both vertical and horizontal movement of the cable.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel fleet angle compensator apparatus for automatically maintaining the cable substantially perpendicular to the axis of the drum at all times during a cable spooling operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a eet angle compensator apparatus wherein the eccentric shaft member thereof is journalled in a manner to provide for universal adjustment in accordance with variable field conditions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a eet angle compensator apparatus wherein the length of the throw of the eccentric shaft may be readily adjusted in accordance with variable field installations or changes in the disposition of the fixed sheave with respect to the drum.

Another object of this invention is to provide a eet angle compensator apparatus for automatically correcting a bad fleet angle and which is connected with the drum only through the cable itself.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a fleet angle compensator apparatus for automatically correcting a bad eet angle which is responsive to the pressure in the cable for the operation thereof completely independent of manual or other attention.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tieet angle compensator apparatus wherein the friction from a bad fleet angle during the operation thereof is reduced to a minimum for greatly increasing the efficiency thereof.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional View, partly in elevation, of an adjustable end cap and journal member embodying the invention and secured to one end of a shaft member.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the end cap, journal member, and shaft depicted in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a fleet angle compensator apparatus embodying the invention and depicted in combination with a cable spooling drum and iixed sheave.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character generally indicates a drum or winch having a cable 12 spooled thereon. The drum 10 may be journalled on a suitable shaft 14 for rotation and is provided with opposed end anges 16 and 18, as is well known. It is preferable that the drum core (not shown) be provided with a plurality of cable receiving grooves (not shown) on the outer periphery thereof to facilitate the winding or spooling of the rst layer or wrap of the cable 12 onto the drum 10, as is well known in the industry, and as set forth in the Le Bus counter-balanced spooling patents heretofore described. However, it is to be noted that any suitable drum or winch may be utilized with the invention.

A iieet angle compensator apparatus, generally indicated at 20 (FIGURE 3), is secured in juxtaposition to the drum 10, as will be hereinafter set forth, and is interposed between the drum 10 and a fixed position sheave 22. The cable 12 extends from the drum 10, through the reeving apparatus or fleet angle compensator apparatus 20, around the sheave 22, and thence to the load (not shown) being manipulated thereby. The sheave 22 may be journalled for rotation on the shaft 24 in any well known manner (not shown), and is normally spaced from the drum 10, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3, in such a manner that the sheave 22 is substantially centerly disposed between the drum flanges 16 and 18. However, there are many installations in which the sheave 22 is disposed to either one side or the other, with respect to the drum 10, and the fleet angle compensator apparatus 20 may be adjusted to correct for any misalignment or off-set installation of the sheave 22.

The fleet angle compensator apparatus 20 comprises a shaft 26 having an end cap member 28 removably secured to each end thereof. The end cap 28 may be of any suitable type, and as depicted herein is substantially cylindrical and provided an internal bore 30 for receiving one end of the shaft 26 therein. Of course, the end cap 28 may be of a radially or diametrically split configuration (not shown) for facilitating the disposition thereof on the ends of the shaft 26. An end cap 28 is provided on each of the opposed ends of the shaft 26 and each is preferably secured to the respective shaft end in any suitable manner such as by a set screw 32 and cooperating lock nut 34.

Each end cap 28 is provided with a radially outwardly extending boss member 36 having a threaded bore 38 extending therethrough for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. A pair of oppositely disposed grooves 40 and 42 (FIGURE 2) are provided on the boss 36 for slidably receiving a journal member generally indicated at 44 and as will be hereinafter set forth in detail. The boss 36 preferably extends through a length of approximately one-half the diameter of the end cap 28, as particularly shown in FIGURE 1, and terminates in a radially extending shoulder 46. A radial groove 48 is provided on the outer face of the cap 28 and extends from an open outer end 50 to the shoulder 46.

The journal 44 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly directed anges 52 and 54 (FIGURE 2) and associated oppositely disposed grooves 56 and 58 `adjacent thereto for slidable engagement with the grooves 40 and 42, and boss 36 whereby the journal 44 may be reciprocated with respect to the end cap 28. It will be apparent that the engagement of the boss 36 with the grooves 56 and 58 precludes longitudinal movement of the journals 44 with respect to the end caps 28 while permitting transverse reciprocal movement therebetween. An outwardly extending arm 60 is provided on the journal 44 in substantial alignment with the groove 48 and terminates in a frange portion 62 substantially perpendicular thereto and adapted for disposition within the groove 48 of the end cap 28. A bore 64 is provided in the shoulder 62 and is preferably in substantial alignment with the bore 38 of the boss 36. A threaded stud member 68 is threadily secured in the bore 38 and extends therebeyond. One end of the stud 66 is preferably provided with a socket 68 whereby a suitable tool (not shown) may be utilized for rotation of the stud for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The opposite endvof the stud 66 is provide with a reduce neck portion 70 providing a circumferential shoulder 72 adapted for abutment adjacent the shoulder 62. The reduced neck 70 is loosely disposed within the bore 64 and is preferably threaded at the outer extremity 72 thereof for receiving a retainer nut 74 thereon.

It will be apparent that the groove 43 and ange 62 disposed therein perclude relative rotational movement between the journal 44 and end cap 28. Thus, rotation of the stud 66 in one direction will move the journal member 44 upwardly with respect to the end cap 22, as viewed in FIGURE l, and rotation of the stud 66 in an opposite direction will move the journal member 44 downwardly with respect to the end cap 28. The boss 36 and grooves 40 and 42 thereon cooperate with the anges 52 and 54 and associated grooves 56 and 58 provided on the journal 44 for guiding the journal 44 during reciprocation thereof.

The journal member 44 is provided with a pivot arm 76 which extends outwardly therefrom in an opposite direction from the flanges 42 and 54 and is suitably journalled in a self-aligning bearing, generally indicated at 78 (FIGURE 3) whereby the axis of rotation 89 of the arm 76 is angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis 82 of the shaft 26. The arms 76 of the oppositely disposed journals 44 function as the pivot or rotational journals for the shaft 26. It will be apparent that each end cap 28 is provided with a journal member 44 and each arm 76 is journalled in a respective self-aligning bearing whereby the effective axis of rotation determined by the arms 76 will be angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 26. lt will be apparent that the oppositely disposed independent journals 44 may not be in longitudinal alignment, but the inherent operation or action of the cooperating self-aligning bearings 78 will provide a common axis of rotation for the journals 44 throughout the spooling operation. The bearings 78 may be carried by suitable pillow blocks 84 and 86 (FIGURE 3) which in turn may be supported on suitable brace members 88.

As hereinbefore set forth, the distance between the center line 80 of the arm 76 and the center line 82 of the shaft 26 is known as the throw of the arm 76. The distance between the axes 80 and 82, which is the throw of the arm 76 may be adjusted, as desired, by rotation of the stud member 66. Each of the arms 76 secured to the opposite ends of the shaft 26 may be independently adjusted for varying the distance between the axis 82 and the axis Sti of the respective arm 76, as required in accordance with the particular iield installation for the spooling operation. In addition, each journal 44 may be secured to the respective end of the shaft 26 whereby the angular disposition between the arms 76, which is the angle between the throws, is at a preselected angle. This angle may be preselected at the optimum angle for an efiicient operation for the fleet angle compensating apparatus 20 in substantially any installation. It has been found that this angle must be greater than zero degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees in order toassure an etiicient and automatic operation of the device 20. It has been found under practical working conditions that when the angle between the throws approaches or becomes as great as one hundred eighty degrees, the apparatus 20 may not operate automatically with the usual efficiency possible when this angle is less than one hundred eighty degrees.

A floating sheave 90 is journalled on the shaft 26 and is movable therealong in response to the tension or pressure of the cable being spooled or unspooled from the drum 10. The sheave 90 may be journalled on the shaft 26 in any well known manner (not shown) and is rotatable thereon as well as movable therealong.

If desired, at least two set collars (not shown) may be provided on the shaft 26 and spaced thereon for limiting the longitudinal movement of the sheave 9i) therealong. It will be readily apparent that the engagement of the moving sheave 90 with either of the stop members or set collars will limit the movement of the sheave along the shaft 26 for facilitating reversal of the movement of the sheave along the shaft during the spooling operation.

The axis of rotation of the shaft 26 is the common rotational axis between the oppositely disposed journals 44 as maintained by the self-aligning bearings 78. Of course, the angular disposition between the rotational axis of the 6 shaft 26 and the longitudinal axis 82 of the shaft result in an eccentric movement or eccentric oscillation for the shaft during the spooling operation. The eccentric oscillation of the shaft 26 transmits an arcuate movement to the sheave journalled thereon whereby the center line of the sheave 90 moves through an arcuate path as the cable 12 is spooled onto or unspooled from the drum 1li. This movement of the lioating sheave 90 through the arcuate path causes the overall length of the cable 12 between the iixed sheave 22 and the drum 10 to remain substantially constant throughout the spooling operation.

Operation The iieet angle of the cable 12 is the angle at the fixed sheave between the actual path of the cable and an imaginary line extending perpendicularly between the fixed sheave 22 and the axis of the drum 10. In spooling operations wherein no eet angle compensator device is utilized in cooperation with the spooling drum, the cable or line 12 will t-end to seek the shortest distance from the fixed sheave 26 to the drum. In other words, the line 12 will try to pile up at a point on the drum where a line passing through the sheave 26 is perpendicular to the drum axis. It will be apparent that if the length of the cable 12 between the sheave 22 and the drum 1@ is maintained substantially constant at all times during the spooling operation of each wrap of every layer, there will be no shortest distance for the cable to seek. As a result, there will be no preferred position `on the drum where the cable will tend to pile up. Thus, the fleet angle compensator apparatus 20 is inter* posed between the fixed sheave 22 and the drum 10 to maintain the length of the cable 12 therebetwen substantially constant on each separate layer throughout the spooling operation.

The floating sheave 90 moves laterally along the shaft 26 in response to the pressure or tension in the cable 12 during the spooling or unspooling thereof from the drum 10. Any movement of the cable to the left or right of the mean or center point of the drum 10 will cause the compensating or floating pulley 90 to move to either the left or right of the center point in accordance with the direction of the spooling, or unspooling of the line or cable. The pressure of the cable 12 and the sheave 9% oscillates the shaft `26 about the axis of movement of the opposed journals 44 for changing the angular position of the shaft. Suitable stop means (not shown) may be provided for limiting the oscillation of the shaft 26 in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions whereby the shaft rocks or oscillates about the axis of movement in accordance with the direction of travel of the cable 12. As -a result, the center line of the sheave 90 moves through an arcuate path.

The oscillating movement of the shaft 26 moves the sheave 90 alternately toward and away from the drum 10 whereby the cable segment between the drum and the floating sheave 99 is alternately shortened and lengthened with a corresponding lengthening and shortening of the cable segment between the fixed sheave 22 and the -iioating sheave 90. This maintains the overall length 4of the .cable 12 between the fixed sheave 22 and the drum 10 substantially constant at al1 times during the winding or unwinding of each separate layer of line wraps, and as a result, the cable 12 moving from or to the drum 10 from the sheave 90 remains substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drum, thus eliminating the fleet angle, and the inherent disadvantages thereof.

The end caps 28 are secured to the opposite ends of the shaft 26 by means of the set screws 32, and each end cap 28 supports a journal 44. The end caps are preferably secured to the shaft whereby the angle between the throws, or angle between the arms 76 is at a preselected position which has been determined to be the most universally efficient for substantially all installations. As hereinbefore set forth, the length of the throws, or the distance between the axes 82 and Si) may be adjusted lindependently for each of the opposed journal members 44. The stud 66 may be readily rotated within the threaded bore 38 for either shortening or lengthening of the throw at the installation site as required by the particular environment encountered. lt will be apparent that rotation of the stud 66 in one direction will move the arm 76 in a direction toward the center line 82 or axis 82 of the shaft 26 for shortening of the throw whereas rotation of the stud 66 in an opposite direction will move the arm 76 in a direction away from the axis 82 for lengthening of the throw. The travel of the journal 44 with respect to the end cap 28 is limited in one direction by the length of the slot 48. When the shoulder 62 engages the shoulder 46, further movement of the journal 44 in the said one direction is precluded. When the length of the throws is properly adjusted in accordance with the requirements of the particular cable spooling installation, the ileet angle compensator apparatus Ztl will function automatically for substantially eliminating the fleet angle and greatly increasing the overall efficiency of the cable spooling operation.

From t-he foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides `a novel reeving apparatus for compensating for and correcting the fleet angle in the spooling or unspooling of a line from a winch or drum for effecting an efficient winding of the line onto the drum without any distortion or entanglement thereof. The novel reeving apparatus is automatically shifted or oscillated by the pressure of the cable or line being spooled for maintaining the line substantially perpendicular to the axis of the drum throughout the spooling operation. The off center shaft may be so designed and constructed to automatically provide for the optimum oscillation or rocking movement thereof in accordance with the installation of the hoisting equipment. The novel reeving apparatus is provided with adjustable journal members whereby the length of the throws may be readily varied in accordance with substantially any installation. The novel ileet angle compensator apparatus is simple and efficient in roperation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. ln combination with a drum havi-ng a cable wound thereon, a fleet angle compensator apparatus comprising a shaft, a movable sheave journalled on the shaft for receiving the cable, means carried by the shaft to provide for oscillation thereof about .an axis off-set and non-coplanar with respect to the normal axis of the shaft, said mea-ns comprising end cap means secured to the opposite ends of the shaft, journal means carried by said end cap means, threaded means rotatably carried by the journal means and threadedly engaged with the end cap means and journal means to provide relative transverse slidable movement therebetween for `adjustment of the distance between the off-set axis and normal .axis of the shaft, and said sheave `slidably secured to the shaft and movable therealong in response to pressure of the cable for oscillation of the shaft about the off-set axis for maintaining the cable substantially perpendicular with respect to the axis of the drum.

2. ln 4combination with a drum having a cable wound thereon, a fleet angle compensator apparatus comprising a shaft, a movable sheave journalled on the shaft for receiving the cable, means carried by the shaft to provide for oscillation thereof about an axis off-set and noncoplanar with respect to the normal axis of the shaft,

said means comprising an end cap member secured to each of the opposite ends of the shaft for rotation -simultaneously therewith, a journal member slidably secured to each end cap, a pivot arm carried by each journal member to provide said off-set axis for said shaft, threaded means rotatably carried by each journal member and threadedly engaged with each respective cap member for cooperating between each journal member and the respective end cap to provide for adjustment of the distance between the off-set axis and the normal axis of the shaft, and said sheave slidably secured to the shaft and movable therealong in response to pressure of the cable for oscillation of the shaft about the off-set axis for maintaining the cable substantially perpendicular with respect to the axis of the drum.

3. End cap means for a fleet angle compensator apparatus having an oscillating shaft and comprising cap means secured to each of the opposite ends of the shaft, journal means carried by each end cap to provide a pivot axis for the shaft, adjustable means rotatably carried by the journal means and threadedly engaged with the re` spective end cap for cooperating between the journal means and the end caps for varying the distance between the normal axis and the pivot axis of the shaft.

4. End cap means for a fleet angle compensator having an oscillating shaft and comprising an end cap member secured to each of the opposite ends of the shaft, a journal member slidably secured to each end cap member for providing an axis of rotation for the shaft which is off-set from and non-coplanar with respect to the normal axis of the shaft, and means rotatably carried by each journal member and threadedly engaged with the respective cap member for cooperating between each journal member and respective cap member to provide for adjustment of the distance between the olf-set axis and normal axis of the shaft.

5. End cap means for a fleet angle compensator having an oscillating shaft and comprising an end cap member secured to each of the opposite ends of the shaft, a journal member slidably secured to each end cap member, a pivot arm carried by each journal member to provide an off-set axis of rotation for the shaft which is non-coplanar with respect to the normal axis of the shaft, threaded means rotatably carried by the journal members and threadedly engaged with the respective end cap members to provide for adjustment of the distance between the off-set axis and the normal axis of the shaft in accordance with varying requirements of a cable spooling operation.

6. End cap means for -a fleet angle compensator having an oscillating shaft and comprising an end cap member secured to each of the opposed ends of the shaft, a boss member extending outwardly from each end cap member, a journal member slidably secured to each boss member, a pivot arm extending outwardly from each journal member to provide an axis of rotation for the shaft which is olf-set `from and non-coplanar with respect to the normal axis `of the shaft, and threaded means threadedly engaged with each boss member and rotatably carried by each respective journal member and cooperating therebetween to provide for adjustment of the distance between the olf-set axis and the normal axis of the shaft.

'7. In combination with a drum having a cable wound thereon, a fleet angle compensator apparatus -comprising a shaft, a movable sheave journalled on the shaft for receiving the cable, an end cap member secured to each of the opposite ends of the shaft, a journal member slidably secured to each end cap member, a pivot arm carried by each journal member to provide for oscillation of the shaft about an axis off-set and non-coplanar with respect to the normal axis of the shaft, adjustable means rotatably carried by each journal member and threadedly engaged with each respective end cap member and cooperating therebetween to provide varying of the distance between the 4off-set axis and the normal axis of the shaft, and said sheave slidably secured to the shaft and movable therealong in response to pressure of the cable for oscillation of the shaft about the `olif-set axis for maintaining the cable substantially perpendicular with respect to the axis 0f the drum.

8. End cap means for a eet angle compensator having an oscillating shaft and comprising an end cap member secured to each of the opposed ends of the shaft, a boss member extending axially outwardly from each end cap member in a direction away from the shaft, a threaded bore extending through the boss member transversely with respect to the axis of the shaft, shoulder means provided for the boss member, slot means provided on each end cap conterminous with the shoulder means, a journal member secured to each boss member and slidable with respect therewith in la `substantially transverse direction with respect to the axis of the shaft, an apertured flange provided on the journal member and extending into the slot means provided on each end cap member, a threaded stud member rotatably carried by each journal member and threadedly engaged with the respective threaded bore and having a reduced portion extending through the apertured flange, means retaining the reduced portion in the apertured iiange, a pivot arm extending outwardly from each journal member to provide an axis of rotation for the shaft which is olf-set from and non-coplanar with respect to the normal axis of the shaft, and said threaded stud member cooperating between the boss member and respective apertured ange for providing adjustment of the distance between the off-set axis and the normal axis 'of the shaft.

4/60 Neukirch 64-31 X 2/6lr Le Bus et al. 242-1571 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A DRUM HAVING A CABLE WOUND THEREON, A FLEET ANGLE COMPENSATOR APPARATUS COMPRISING A SHAFT, A MOVABLE SHEAVE JOURNALLED ON THE SHAFT FOR RECEIVING THE CABLE, MEANS CARRIED BY THE SHAFT TO PROVIDE FOR OSCILLATION THEREOF ABOUT AN AXIS OFF-SET AND NON-COPLANAR WITH RESPECT TO THE NORMAL AXIS OF THE SHAFT, SAID MEANS COMPRISING END CAP MEANS SECURED TO THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE SHAFT, JOURNAL MEANS CARRIED BY SAID END CAP MEANS ,THREADED MEANS ROTATABLY CARRIED BY THE JOURNAL MEANS AND THREADEDLY ENGAGED WITH THE END CAP MEANS 